Politics
11:39, 20-Jan-2018
US shutdown near certain after failed Senate vote
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The US Senate has started voting on a stopgap spending bill to avoid a government shutdown that will happen if they fail to agree before a Friday midnight deadline.
The bill passed the House of Representatives late Thursday largely on party lines by a vote of 230-197, but a shutdown looms as lawmakers continue to argue over an immigration deal.
In order to pass the budget, 60 votes are needed in the Senate. Republicans only have 51 seats in the 100-member chamber, so they need Democratic votes to get them over the line, especially as some Republicans have stated they will vote No.
Earlier, before the vote began, US President Donald Trump warned the shutdown was likely, tweeting “Not looking good for our great Military or Safety & Security on the very dangerous Southern Border.”